Cardinal O’Malley in 2015 Respect Life Month Message: ‘Every Life is Worth Living’

September 14, 2015

WASHINGTON— People discover their worth when they discover their true identity as created in God’s image and called to an eternal destiny with him, said Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley, OFM Cap, Archbishop of Boston and chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), in the annual Respect Life Month statement. Catholics and all people of good will in the United States are invited to participate in Respect Life Month.

Respect Life Month, observed in October, begins the new, yearlong cycle of the Respect Life Program, which continues through the following September. It is a time dedicated by the U.S. bishops for the Church nationwide to bring attention to, celebrate, and work and pray for the protection of the gift of human life. The first Sunday of the month, October 4 this year, is designated as Respect Life Sunday. The USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities publishes new materials each year on various human life issues to aid the local efforts within the Church of building a culture of life throughout the year. The theme of the 2015-16 Respect Life Program is “Every life is worth living.”

“Whether it lasts for a brief moment or for a hundred years, each of our lives is a good and perfect gift,” wrote Cardinal O’Malley. “At every stage and in every circumstance, we are held in existence by God’s love.”

Cardinal O’Malley wrote that nothing can diminish a person’s God-given dignity or the worth of his or her life, only that others may fail to respect human dignity. He also noted that encountering another’s suffering, while difficult, is an opportunity to embrace them with love, attention and prayer.

Video from the USCCB

This informative video provides a quick overview on the problem of human trafficking during this week of special prayer for freedom and healing of victims and survivors of human trafficking.

Maggie's Story

A video from the USCCB about how Maggie faces dying with dignity and grace.

Project Gianna

Project Gianna is a respect for life ministry providing non-judgemental support and unconditional love for women in crisis or unplanned pregnancies. 877-522-3300